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Eternal

Just when he started to make some good choices, death chose to take him from us. Just when the potholes in his road were being filled so he could go somewhere, he went away. Brandon not only turned his life around. But, he was young and had plenty of time to achieve great things. At least, that’s what we thought. That’s what I thought as I admired his laughter and good nature as we all sat and joked around the table this past Thanksgiving. None of us knew that the crime he tried to turn from would turn on him.

Memory Eternal Brandon Glover

There was a thief on a cross who, unlike Brandon, had no hope of redemption on this earth. He was condemned and nailed. Left to hang on that tree until breathlessness or a merciful death blow would relieve him. And yet, the thief did have one hope. It was in a world to come. It was through the Sinless One that was crucified with him.

Among the better decisions Brandon made, he looked upon Jesus as his source of hope. He did’t know all there was about discipleship. Nor did the thief. But, they both had sense to believe in and call on the gateway to a better world. Christ answered the one with faith,

Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise. (Luke 23:43)

The thief on the right of Christ is the upward side of the lower bar.

May Brandon’s faith suffice for his deeds. Lord, please let his confession be sufficient for salvation. Let your mercy shine upon him both now and forever. And may your spirit of comfort be on his family.

Tomorrow is the Feast of St.s Peter and Paul. I intend to eat a fair amount of dead animal. I may wake up early to spend some time on a mountain Saturday. Sunday, I will attend divine liturgy at a Greek Orthodox Church. This journey of the Apostles Fast is coming to an end. In all honesty, I am going to miss it. Oh, I will still maintain and seek to expand my prayer life. And I will keep the weekly fast on Wednesdays and Fridays as well as be more conscious of my eating on other days. But, the weeks of fasting have been very interesting and inspiring for me. God revealed and reminded me of his truth.

Prayer means more than giving thanks, praises, and asking for stuff. Prayer is seeking unity with the Lord. For those who are new to following Jesus, praying without a disciplined spiritual life can be expected. But, a shallow perception of communication with God must be outgrown. The seeking of divine guidance must be perpetual in our hearts and minds. Too often, we pray for immediate results. We live in a culture that seeks tangible and well-defined conclusions, and the sooner the better. This is a very dangerous prayer life. Suppose we get the results when and the way we want them? Then arrogance quickly sets in as if we are proven better than others because we have the results. Complacency is another risk; that one need not pray again unless another need or want arises in our lives. Suppose we don’t get the results, or get them in a later time in a way that doesn’t please us? Two possibilities are ready to distort our souls. We may disbelieve in the loving God who answers prayer as we didn’t get our results. We may also chase after spiritual snake oil salesmen posing as ministers of the Gospel who boast that they can get you the results we are looking for.

A consistent and perpetual seeking of God; this is the type of prayer that doesn’t rely on gratifying results. When they come, one with such a prayer life remains humble. When they don’t come, the one remains patient and relies on God’s wisdom. Results and lack of them are mere stones on the pathway to the eternal. This is one reason why hermits and monastics can remain in secluded prayer unbothered by the world around them. This is one reason why the martyrs faced death with a sense of joy and peace in mind. If we were all thrown to the gladiators and wild beast or were made to live in ascetic cells, having this sort of prayer life would be a bit easier as we would have nothing else to seek after and death would be just moments away.

The challenge for us who are not in monasteries and coliseum is to be consistent and perpetual seekers of God. This is why the morning and evening Orthodox prayers guide us in seeking mercy. This is why there are prayers of the Hours and cycles of fasting. This is why monks, nuns, and other seekers desire an inward prayer of the heart and silently move their lips as they offer up the Jesus Prayer. The early church fathers gave us traditions of fasting and prayer that have encouraged the rejection of this world and withstood great persecution. Arrogance, complacency, disbelief, and gullibility await those who have no depth in their spiritual selves. Thus, our prayers must be continuous to withstand and overcome these adversaries.

Thank you for your time. I pray God will also bless you in the journey of life.

How many clichés and quotes are there that teach that a man will wind up where his mind is? My late grandfather-in-law and mentor, Rev. Carter Wicks, used to say that “A Man Is His Mind.” If his and other similar words are true, I think it pays for us to do more than periodical reality checks. We need daily monitoring and adjusting. Because there are so many strong temptations to keep us thinking about the things of the world rather than the things of God. This is not to say that we should all become strict monastics and leave everything we have to live in a cave the rest of our lives for the sake of prayer and contemplation. But, unless prayer throughout the day becomes a part of our lives, we risk our faith eroding into spiritual uselessness.

I am not simply talking about the obvious sins that hold us down such as lust, anger, hate, greed, and the like. Anything that separates us from the love of God and love for our fellow-man is carnal. Take politics (and throw it in a cesspool where it belongs), conservatism and liberalism are two sides of the same coin of our need for earthly government. We will all take a different stance from one another for various reasons. But, in order for a coin to have any value, it has to have both a head and tail. Both sides must work in cooperation with each other. Due to the presence of wealth and winner-take-all power hyped up by the likes of Fox and MSNBC, we have harsher polarizing arguments than constructive agreements.

What saddens me is that Christianity is buying into this earthly coin and the argument that we must staunchly defend one side or the other. As people of this nation, of course we will have opinions of which direction this nation should take. But, we who have been given the Gospel of God’s redeeming love should never give into vilifying those whose political opinions do not match our own. If anything, we should be a mediating force between (no, above) the right and left and seek Godly solutions to our national, state, and local problems. As Martin Luther King Jr noted in his “Letter from a Birmingham Jail,” rather than being a thermostat that controls the temperature in a house, the church has become a thermometer that only measures and reflects the temperature. And when we spend more time reflecting our chosen sides rather than seek after something of far greater value, we make ourselves useless (and sometimes harmful) to the Gospel.

So, to my brothers and sisters to the left and right, I make this suggestion. For every minute you spend watching Fox News or MSNBC, spend a minute and a half in honest and sincere contemplative prayer. For every moment listening to Beck or Maddow, spend a moment and a half in self-reflection in light of the Lord who created and loves both equally. Most of us who are in our 40’s have, perhaps, another 30 to 40 years to call ourselves Americans. Where we go after that depends on where we have put our minds. If we have set our minds on earthly divisiveness and strife based on one side or the other of a political coin that will eventually be destroyed, that is where we can expect to spend eternity. If we have set our minds on seeking spiritual purity and loving others, we will be in that place of eternal wholeness.

I am recovering from the Feast of All Saints of North America (overindulgence in a stuffed crust, super supreme pizza). About to go to a staff meeting at the park ( I am supplying a salad and portabella mushrooms for myself as I am not going to eat any chicken). And I have more than a few loose ends to tie up this week for the church. Thus far, I can say that I am happy with my journey on this Apostles Fast.

I am finding so much history in Orthodoxy. I knew that Christianity had existed in Ethiopia since high school. But, thanks to modern technology, I have learned even more of this church as well as the Copts of Egypt. You Tube has become a valuable instrument in my learning of the ancient faith. Archbishop Lazar Puhalo and David Withun have very informative videos on the network. I also listen to the lectures on the Ancient Faith Radio podcast. I intend to visit either the Greek Orthodox Church or OCA Mission when I go to Charlottesville soon and will be able to visit the Antiochian Church on the fifth Sunday of July. As soon as the Greek Church opens in Williamsburg, I will attend some midweek services.

Perhaps some would criticize my appreciation for Orthodoxy and wonder why I am asking, seeking, and knocking on their door when I have been a life-long Baptist and pastor a church. History is one reason. We African-American Baptist have a rich legacy of preaching, music, and theology that I do appreciate and thank God for. But, the Baptist faith is only over 200 years old. Yes, we can talk about the legacy of Robert Walker, Nat Turner, John Jasper, Howard Thurman, and Adam Clayton Powell, and Martin Luther King, Jr. and the message they had for our community and nation. But, we should also learn and celebrate the legacy and message of the African fathers who contributed to the very foundations of Christianity. St Anthony the Great is recognized as the father of monasticism by both Orthodoxy and Roman Catholicism. His contemporary, St. Athanasius, described Anthony as being of the Egyptian race. In speaking of his fellow African, Athanasius put together the New Testament! Seriously, how can we even call ourselves African-American Christians and not give recognition to the Africans that helped form the faith? How can we not also celebrate those martyrs such as Cyprian of Carthage, Maurice and the Theban Legion? Is the oppression and murder they suffered less important than that of King or the four girls that were killed in a Birmingham church bombing? If we are going to tell the history of our Christian heritage, we ought to tell the whole story.

The Africans who contributed to early Christianity were not former slaves that had to overcome Jim Crow laws to be accepted by whites. They were held as equals in faith going back to that first named Christian community in Antioch (Acts 13:1). Race was a non-issue in the early Orthodox world. Ethiopians have some icons of a pale skinned Jesus out of respect for the Russian Orthodox whom they have enjoyed a long kinship with. There are churches and monasteries in Europe with icons of the Theotokos and Christ darker than I am. Most images of Christ and others in the Bible are depicted as Middle Eastern, neither black nor white. The history of the faith is multicultural and universal (Colossians 3:11).

There is a big difference between being in and out of a canoe. In the boat, I am dry. With my paddle, I am making progress to my destination. Being out of the canoe means I am in the river soaking wet. The paddle can do me little good until I get back in the boat. There is a difference between walking on and off of the trail. On the trail, I know my steps are secure. Wild animals keep their distance knowing the regular human traffic. When I am off of the trail, the ground is not as stable. Venomous snakes build their homes where people don’t tread. The canoeists who spends more time out of than in his boat cannot make an effective journey. The hiker that spends more time off than on the trail puts herself at risk for getting lost and being bitten. Anyone can capsize. But, one must get back in the boat. Anyone can stray from a trail. But one must get back on it.

Here is where there is no condemnation; when we are in Christ Jesus and we walk according to the Spirit. True faith is not “getting your praise on” for sporadic moments. It is to constantly be mindful of the Lord who loves us so much that he gave his life for our salvation. This is the boat that we progress in. True faith is more than being a moral person. It is to surrender one’s will to that of the Holy Spirit. This is the trail we walk. Be in and walk accordingly.

There is something to be said for consistency. That what is spoken one day is the same as the days before and for days to come. A true testimony does not change. But, it remains the same.

One day, the religious leadership approached John the Baptist asking if he were the Christ or one of the prophets. He denied claims to both. He quoted the words of Isaiah and pointed that the great Messiah was yet to come with a greater baptism. But John did not claim any position that was not his, even though he could have claimed the lesser of the two. John kept to the task of baptism for the remission of sins in humble obedience to God.

The next day, John identified and proclaimed the one he spoke of the day and days before. “Behold the Lamb of God!” John was a good man and, rightfully, drew a crowd of the faithful. But, the Lamb of God was (is) the perfect offering without blemish or spot. The true first-born. This Lamb would go down and rise again, thus able to take away the sins of the world. He will baptize with the Holy Spirit, a power that shows he is the Son of God. As in the day before, John didn’t speak of his greatness. He bore witness to something greater.

And still the next day, John makes the same proclamation as he sees Jesus. John has two of his disciples standing with him and made no gesture nor spoke in protest as they left him to follow the One he spoke of. The baptizer has seen the one who offers the greater baptism. The precursor has laid down the path as prophesied. With the Lamb present, John understood that he his position had to decrease. There was no point of his disciples following him any longer as there was a greater one for them to follow.

A false witness changes as it sees opportunity for gain, the need to conceal inconvenient truth, and threats to its status. The true witness always points to something greater. Gain and status are temporal. Truth is never stopped. It is best to understand our role in God’s will and let him have his way. Our consistent testimony let’s him work through us for his glory.

The opening 18 verses of John’s Gospel is the glory of Jesus Christ in a nutshell. Jesus is described as the light and giver of life. Though John the Baptist may have revealed the light, he isn’t to be confused as the light. Belief in the light is what gives us rebirth not as physical creatures. We become children of God. It is impossible to truly pursue the Spirit of Christ without accepting this introduction of who Jesus is.

Before anything else existed, the Word existed. In many religions (and among many Christians), things such as commandments, law, and morality are put at the forefront of faith. Word is far more meaningful to true spiritual pursuit than these things. Commandment, law, and morality are useful as they set limits of behavior and practice for the good of individuals and society. There can be no civilization and community without them. But, they were not there in the creative process of God and only appeared after creation took place. Adam was given a commandment after the Lord God made him and placed him in the garden with the tree that he was forbidden to eat from. The Law of Moses was given after the Lord God made the promise of land to Abraham’s descendants and they were free from Egypt and slavery. So, to have a faith where the morality and the Word are one in the same is wrong. Morality is secondary as it is a created boundary. A true pursuit of Jesus must focus on pursuing the Word.

The fact that the Word became flesh goes above and beyond the latter boundaries. For the creator to take the form of the created ends the wall of separation between the two. The creator can easily reject the created because of its flaws and faults. He who made the flesh has every right to condemn it for its constant infringements of commandments, law breaking, and immorality. Yet, this Word possesses light and life. These qualities have no rejection in themselves. But, they offer renewal to anyone who is willing to accept them. And as these qualities are a part of the Word that was with God and is God, light and life are far more desirable, powerful, and merciful than the secondary boundaries of commandment, law, and morality. According to these, we should all die in our sins. The Word gives us light and life in the fullest as it became flesh and dwelt among us. A true pursuit of Jesus calls for us to behold his glory.

He came first to those who had all of the necessary boundaries for righteousness in individuals and society. But, they held on to their law and ancestry rather than receive him and believe in his name. Adhering to Mosaic Law and claiming Abraham as their father were the spoken grave mistakes of the Jews in the Gospels. We run the risk of being just like them when we cling so tightly to morality, race, and nationality that we cannot accept the Word that created all things. Our righteousness is limited to ourselves and what we believe should be done. The righteous Word is all merciful and reaches out to all that will accept his authority over their lives. Our boundaries govern those born of flesh. To receive him and believe in his name is to be born of God.

Is there a worse version of hell than the descriptions Jesus gave to his disciples during the eschatological discourse? Can the reasons for going to such a hell be more frightening? Note, if you would, the ten virgins who were locked outside of the banquet hall being told by the bride groom, “Assuredly I say to you I do not know you.” These women are left disowned and vulnerable. The wicked servant fares no better being counted among the hypocrites for abusing his fellows and carousing with drunkards. He and the virgins did not live in expectation for something greater. They mistakenly believed they had plenty of time before being in the full presence of the bridegroom and master. The unprofitable servant made no effort to increase the wealth the master gave him, not even to give the gift to those who could make some sort of profit. He too goes to the place of “weeping and gnashing of teeth.”

In these three examples, the graphic punishment is not some demon in a red suit armed with a pitchfork. To be disowned by the Lord Jesus Christ and left vulnerable in great tears and agony goes beyond any sort of vengeful torture. This is why the martyrs endured the wild beast, burning pitch, and other horrors of earthly cruelty. They chose to die brutally rather than be separated from the source of life and life eternal. And the source of life is to do well to one’s neighbor, practice self-control, increase love and spirit, and to anticipate a glory beyond what this world can give.

Indeed, to ignore the plight of the least of humanity is the apex of being separate from Jesus Christ. The Lord identifies himself with the “least of these.” The cursed are to suffer the same total separation as the ultimate rebels against God not because they committed some act of immorality. They are punished for their lack of compassion and mercy. Morality is good. But, it is no substitute for the love that gave it’s self to our unworthy humanity for our salvation. If we do not love likewise, we have missed the whole point of the crucifixion and resurrection. If we miss the point, we will miss his return. There can be no greater hell than that.

Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect

Matthew 24:44

Let us live in his presence believing that his greater glory will come.

It is no secret that atheism and unbelief is growing in our country. I read an article in the Guardian where church membership may very well be less than the 40% mark that most of us took for granted. With the ongoing hypocritical scandals and false doctrine in many denominations and congregations, I suspect things will only get worse. But, just because Atheism is growing means that the faithful should do nothing. This morning, I will preach our response.

This weekend is the celebration of 40 years of Pastoral Service of Rev. Wilbert D. Talley at Third Union Baptist Church. He has been a mentor to me since I was a child. Dr. Talley held high positions at Virginia Union University and other statewide organizations. A man of his caliber and education could have easily sought the pulpit of the most lucrative churches in the nation. And yet, for four decades he remained the pastor of a little country church. His work has included major improvements on the building and aiding people in building their lives. It is an honor to celebrate such a man and wish him many more years of service to God.